Corn inbred lines for dairy cattle feed

ABSTRACT

An inbred corn line designated AR5253bm3 is disclosed. AR5253bm3 is useful for producing F1 hybrid corn seed and plants therefrom. Such corn plants exhibit the brown midrib phenotype and yield a silage that, when fed to dairy cattle, increases milk production.

This application is a divisional of pending U.S. application Ser. No.08/641,486, filed May. 1, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to corn inbred lines and the feeding of cornsilage for lactating dairy cattle. More particularly the inventionrelates to a dairy cattle feed ration comprising silage from corn plantsexhibiting the brown midrib phenotype.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Breeding of Corn Plants

Corn plants (Zea mays L.) are bred by both self-pollination andcross-pollination techniques. Corn is a monoecious plant, i.e., eachplant has separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located onthe tassel and ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in cornwhen pollen is shed from tassels and contacts silks of the same plant ora different plant that protrude from tops of the developing ears.Methods and techniques for the development of inbred corn lines andhybrid corn varieties are known in the art. Hallauer, A., Maize, inPrinciples of Cultivar Development, Vol. 2, Fehr. W. ed. pp. 249-294,Macmillan, New York, (1987). Currently, many hybrid corn varieties areproduced by crossing two inbred lines to produce F₁ hybrid progeny. TheF₁ plants exhibit heterosis, or hybrid vigor, resulting in plants havinghigh yield and superior agronomic performance in the hybrid combination.The production and development of inbred corn lines and hybrid cornvarieties are discussed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,109, whichis incorporated herein by reference.

Research studies on maize have resulted in the identification ofnumerous genetic loci. See, e.g., the maize genetic database on theWorldwide Web at http://teosinte.agron.missour.edu/top.html.

To supply the need nutrients for increased milk production by lactatingdairy cattle is an ongoing challenge facing the dairy industry. Thischallenge is complicated by the fact that, even though a dairy cow'sdiet may meet the National Research Council recommended nutrientrequirements, the diet may still lack some nutrients at increased levelsrequired for higher milk production. One reason for this difficulty inmeeting nutrient requirements is the complexity of the digestive systemof ruminants such as dairy cattle.

In cattle, ingested feed first passes into the reticulorumen, where itis subject to anaerobic microbial fermentation. Microbial fermentationbegins the digestive process and gives a ruminant the ability to utilizefibrous feeds, in contrast to monogastric animals. Ruminants meet theirnutrient needs by utilizing the by-products of microbial fermentation,along with any undigested feed residues and the resultant microbial massthat passes from the rumen.

Anaerobic microbial fermentation is an advantage to ruminants because itallows them to benefit from feeds which cannot be utilized bynon-ruminants. However, microbial activity limits the ability to providesupplemental nutrients to a ruminant animal, because many desirablenutrients, such as proteins, amino acids and digestible fiber, will bemetabolized by microbes before the nutrients reach a site where they canbe absorbed and utilized by the ruminant.

Attempts have been made to increase milk production in dairy cattle bymanipulating the feed ration. For example, rations containing silagederived from corn plants carrying a brown midrib mutation have been fedto cattle. Stallings, C. et al., J. Dairy Sci., 65:1945-1949 (1982);Block, E. et al., J. Dairy Sci. 64:1813-1825 (1981); Keith, E. et al.,J. Dairy Sci. 62:788 (1979). The bm gene decreases and alters the lignincontent in the vegetative parts of such corn plants; silage made fromsuch plants has increased fiber digestibility compared to silage fromcorn plants not exhibiting the brown midrib phenotype. In general, thesestudies indicated that there was no increase in milk production in cowsfed silage from bm corn. It was concluded that the cows fed a dietcontaining bm silage partitioned the nutrients into meat or fat bodytissues rather than milk production. Barriere et al., Agronomie13:865-876 (1993).

Attempts have been made to increase the efficiency of feed utilizationand milk production by using various formulations and feed supplements.Despite continued improvement in the development of dairy cattle feedrations, it is desirable to further increase the efficiency of feedutilization and milk production by dairy cattle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Inbred corn seed is disclosed herein. Inbred corn seeds of the inventioninclude seed designated AR5252bm3, AR5251bm3, AR5651bm3, AR5551bm3,AR5153bm3, AR5253bm3 and AR5654bm3.

Also disclosed herein is hybrid corn seed that is produced from plantsof any one of the above inbred corn line, which has been crossed toplants of a second inbred line that is homozygous for bm3.

An F₁ hybrid corn plant is disclosed herein. An F₁ corn plant of theinvention is produced by planting and growing seeds of a first corninbred line selected from the above-identified inbred lines, i.e.,AR5252bm3, AR5251bm3, AR5651bm3, AR5551bm3, AR5153bm3, AR5253bm3 andAR5654bm3. These seeds are planted in proximity to seeds of a secondinbred line that is homozygous for bm3, so that natural pollinationbetween plants of the two inbred lines can take place. Pollen productionis prevented on plants of the first inbred line or on plants of thesecond inbred line, e.g., by removal of tassels prior to pollenproduction. Natural cross pollination then is allowed to occur betweenthe inbred line plants which are producing pollen and the inbred lineplants which have had pollen production prevented. Seeds are produced onthe plants which have had pollen production prevented and these seedsare harvested. At least one of the harvested seeds is then grown into aplant.

An article of manufacture is disclosed herein, which comprises packagingmaterial, a substantially homogenous assemblage of F₁ hybrid corn seedswithin the packaging material and a package label accompanying thepackaging material. The seeds within the packaging material arehomozygous for at least one bm locus, i.e., a brown midrib locus. Thepackage label indicates that the seeds within the package are suitablefor producing plants that yield a silage that can be used in the feedingof dairy cattle. The seeds can be homozygous for bm3. The seeds may beproduced by hybrid combination of plants from a first corn inbred lineselected from the above-identified lines, i.e., AR5252bm3, AR5251bm3,AR5651bm3, AR5551bm3, AR5153bm3, AR5253bm3 and AR5654bm3 and plants of asecond inbred line that is homozygous for bm3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A dairy cattle feed ration has been discovered that comprises a cornsilage produced from corn plants exhibiting a brown midrib phenotype;feeding of such silage to dairy cattle results in unexpectedimprovements in milk production.

A silage component is produced from corn plants displaying the brownmidrib phenotype. This phenotype is exhibited by plants homozygous for amutant allele at either the bm1, bm2, bm3 or bm4 locus. In someembodiments, such plants may display the brown midrib phenotype due tohomozygosity at more than one of the bm loci. Mutant bm alleles areknown to reduce and alter the lignin content in plants homozygous forsuch alleles. The lignin content may be reduced 20%, 30%, or up to about45% compared to corn of the same genetic background but having awild-type Bm gene.

Corn inbreds and hybrids carrying bm alleles and displaying the bmphenotype may be produced by corn breeding methods known in the art. Inone embodiment, a corn inbred line is converted to the bm phenotype in abreeding program initiated from the F₁ progeny of a cross between aplant of a first inbred (wild-type for the bm phenotype) and plants of asecond line carrying the desired bm allele. F₁ plants are backcrossed tothe first inbred line until an inbred line is obtained that hassubstantially the same genotype as the original inbred line except forthe replacement of the wild-type Bm gene by the mutant bm gene.

In another embodiment, a pedigree breeding program may be used in whichtwo inbreds, one of which carries the bm phenotype, are crossed and new,unique inbreds are selected that carry desired yield and agronomicperformance characteristics as well as the bm phenotype. Conversionprograms, pedigree breeding programs, breeding programs using syntheticsand other methods for obtaining bm inbreds are known in the art. See,e.g., Hallauer, et al. in Corn and Corn Improvement, Sprague et al.,eds. pp. 463-564 (1988).

In addition to selecting and identifying plants containing a mutant bmgene, it is desirable to select concomitantly for plants having superioragronomic and yield performance characteristics.

Techniques for identifying plants displaying the brown midrib phenotypeare known in the art. For example, the underside of leaves may beexamined at 10-14 days before tassel emergence (4-6 leaf stage, 2-3 ft.height) for the appearance of a golden-brown or reddish-brown color onthe midrib. Plants may also be examined at maturity by removing a leafsheath and examining the stalk. The stalk has a golden-brown orreddish-brown color if the brown midrib phenotype is expressed. Brownpigment is also present in the cob and in the roots. Because the bmphenotype is recessive, the presence of the bm gene in heterozygotes canbe determined by performing a self and evaluating the selfed progeny forthe expected 3:1 segregation ratio. Alternatively, marker-assistedbreeding techniques may be used, e.g., restriction fragment lengthpolymorphisms (RFLP), simple sequence repeats (SSR), microsatellitemarkers or PCR markers. Marker-assisted breeding techniques are useful,in that plants heterozygous for the bm allele can be identified withoutthe necessity for evaluating phenotypic ratios in selfed progeny.

Once inbreds having the bm phenotype and desired performancecharacteristics have been identified, each inbred is evaluated for thedevelopment of appropriate hybrid combinations by test crosses or topcrosses to another inbred displaying the bm phenotype. Methods and testsfor identifying appropriate hybrid combinations having the desiredyield, maturity and other agronomic performance characteristics areknown in the art.

Examples of corn inbreds suitable for producing corn silage include,without limitation, inbreds AR5252bm3, 7675bm3, 7677bm3, AR5251bm3 andAR5651bm3. Applicants have deposited seeds of the inbred lines indicatedin Table 1 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville,Md. 20852 U.S.A. The seeds deposited with the ATCC are taken from thesame deposit maintained by Cargill, Inc., Wayzata, Minn. since prior tothe filing date of this application. The deposits of the corn inbreds inTable 1 will be maintained without restriction in the ATCC depositoryfor a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, orfor the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will bereplaced if the deposit becomes non-viable during that period.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Line Designation                                                                           ATCC Deposit No.                                                                             Date of Deposit                                   ______________________________________                                          AR5253bm3 203349 October 9, 1998                                            ______________________________________                                    

Seeds possessing a mutant bm allele are also available from variousuniversities and seed stock centers. These seeds can also be used toinitiate a bm breeding program.

An inbred line according to the invention preferably is homozygous for abm3 allele. Certain bm3 alleles have been sequenced, e.g., the bm3-1 andbm3-2 alleles. Vignols et al. Plant Cell 7:407-416 (1995). Alleles thathave a deletion, e.g., a deletion similar to that in bm3-2, arepreferred because such alleles are less likely to revert to wild-type.

It is known in the art that maize germplasm can be divided into a numberof distinct heterotic groupings. Such groups include Reid Yellow Dent,Lancaster Sure Crop and subgroups such as Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic(Reid Yellow Dent) and Oh43 (Lancaster Sure Crop). One important aspectof a maize breeding program is the identification of the heterotic groupto which a particular inbred belongs. By identifying the heterotic groupor subgroup, it becomes possible to more clearly determine theappropriate types of crosses, in order to obtain sufficient levels ofheterosis or hybrid vigor. Because of the large number of possibleheterotic groupings to which a given inbred can belong, it is useful toascertain which heterotic groups can be most advantageously used to forma hybrid combination from brown midrib inbreds. Inbreds having themutant bm phenotype have not been tested in all possible heteroticgroups for the effect of the bm phenotype on expression of the mutanttrait and the effect on other agronomic traits.

Once a suitable pair of inbred lines has been identified and F₁ hybridseed has been prepared therefrom, the resulting seed is planted andcultivated according to standard agronomic practices in the geographicarea to which the hybrid is adapted. Growers will also typically takeinto account soil fertility, crop rotation practices and other factorsspecific to the locale in which the hybrid corn is being grown.

Typically, a substantially uniform assemblage of F₁ bm hybrid corn seedsis conditioned and bagged in packaging material by means known in theart to form an article of manufacture. Such a bag of seed preferably hasa package label accompanying the bag, e.g., a tag or label secured tothe packaging material, a label printed on the packaging material or alabel inserted within the bag. The package label indicates that theseeds therein are suitable for producing silage that can be fed to dairycattle. Preferably, the package label indicates that the resultingsilage is to be combined with a feed composition component as disclosedherein. The package label may also indicate that silage resulting fromseeds contained therein may increase milk production when fed tolactating cows as disclosed herein.

F₁ hybrid corn plants derived from inbred lines of the invention may begrown to maturity and the seeds produced thereon harvested for use asgrain. However, above-ground parts of the hybrid corn plants arepreferably harvested after grain fill, but before drydown. Typically,the plants are harvested using a mechanical forage harvester which chopsthe above-ground portion of the plant into small pieces. Harvestingtypically occurs when the color line is halfway down the kernel, basedon the stage of seed maturity. The precise harvest time will depend, ofcourse, upon geographical location and seasonal factors such as theweather. The chopped material is then ensiled by techniques known in theart, e.g., in trenches or in concrete stave silos. Microbial inoculantsand/or preservatives may be added to promote silage formation, ifdesired.

Corn silage from bm hybrids is fed to dairy cattle as a total dairycattle feed ration comprising bm silage and a feed composition. A feedcomposition component of the invention may be a complete feed form, aconcentrate form, blender form or base mix form.

By complete feed form it is meant that the feed represents the cowsentire grain ration. By concentrate form it is meant that the feed willbe used as the primary supplemental protein source and would normally befed with grain to meet the cows protein needs. By blender form it ismeant that the feed will be mixed with approximately a 50:50 ratio withgrain to form the complete grain ration. The base mix form is similar tothe concentrate form, but is typically higher in protein content and isused at lower inclusion rates. The base mix form will be a primary, butoften not the sole source of supplemental protein.

A complete feed form composition typically contains wheat middlings,corn, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, salt, macro-minerals, traceminerals and vitamins. Alternative or optional ingredients commonlyinclude, but are not restricted to, fat, sunflower meal, feather meal,malt sprouts, distillers' grains, canola meal and soybean hulls. Otheralternative or optional protein sources include, for example, bloodmeal, corn gluten meal, peanut meal, cottonseed meal, soybeans (extrudedor roasted), wheat bran and high fat rice bran.

The nutrient composition of a complete feed composition componenttypically provides crude protein at from about 16% to about 27% on a drymatter basis, preferably about 22% to about 25%. Rumen undegradedprotein (RUP) comprises from about 30% to about 50%, preferably fromabout 35% to about 45% of the total crude protein. The fat content istypically from about 4% to about 8%, preferably from about 4% to about6%. Soluble protein (SP) typically comprises from about 15% to about 30%of the crude protein, preferably about 20% to about 25%. The NFC contenttypically comprises from about 36% to about 46% of the feed compositionon a dry matter basis, preferably from about 39% to about 43%.

A concentrate form composition, a blender form composition or a base mixform composition can be prepared by those of skill in the art, basedupon the complete feed composition discussed above.

In one embodiment, the complete feed form composition comprises about 7to about 56 weight percent corn, about 20 to about 50 weight percentwheat middlings and about 0.25 to about 4 weight percent soybean meal.In a preferred embodiment, the complete feed form composition comprisesabout 35 weight percent corn, about 20 weight percent wheat middlingsand about 2 weight percent soybean meal.

Grains fed with the blender, concentrate and base mix forms of thecomposition can include, but are not limited to, corn, barley, oats,millet, rice, sorghum and wheat. Intake of the total grain ration willtypically range from 6 to about 37 pounds per day. If the composition isin the complete feed form, the percent protein level is preferably fromabout 14 to about 24 percent by weight. If the composition is in a formof a concentrate, the protein level is preferably from about 32 to about48 percent by weight. If the composition is in the form of a blender,the protein level in the composition is from about 24 to about 26percent by weight. If the composition is in the form of a base mix, theprotein level is preferably from about 55 to about 65 percent by weight.

The silage component and the feed composition component are combined andfed to dairy cattle. The bm. silage may comprise from about 5% by weightof the total dairy cattle feed ration to about 60% by weight of thetotal ration on a dry matter basis. The bm silage component of theration preferably is about 20% to about 50% on a dry matter basis of theration, more preferably from about 25% to about 35% by weight. Otherroughage sources that may be used to complete the ration include, butare not limited to, corn silage from non-Bm corn plants, alfalfahaylage, grass silages (e.g., sudangrass, orchardgrass or sorghum-basedsilage), grass hays (e.g., sudangrass or orchardgrass) and alfalfa orclover hay, as is known in the art.

A dairy cattle feed ration according to the invention may be fed to bothprimiparous and multiparous cows, either in early, mid or latelactation.

A dairy cattle feed ration comprising bm corn silage providessignificant increases in milk production compared to other dairy cattlefeed rations. A dairy cattle feed ration formed by combining a silagecomponent disclosed herein and a feed composition component leads to anincrease in milk production of about 4 lbs/cow/day, preferably greaterthan about 5 lbs/cow/day, more preferably greater than about 8lbs/cow/day. A dairy cattle feed ration as disclosed herein providessignificant utility to the producer because of such increases in milkproduction.

The invention will be further understood with reference to the followingillustrative embodiments, which are purely exemplary and should not betaken as limiting the true scope of the present invention as describedin the claims.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Silage from a Brown Midrib Hybrid

Inbred lines AR5252bm3 and 7675bm3 are crossed (AR5252bm3×7675bm3) tomake F₁ hybrid seed carrying the brown midrib genotype. Control hybridseed is prepared by crossing the unconverted parental lines,MED947×7675, respectively.

The control and bm hybrid seed is planted at a density of 24,900 kernelsper acre and cultivated using a standard fertilization program. The cornis harvested 4 months after planting, using a forage harvester having a3/8 in. theoretical length of cut (TLC) and a screen. The harvestedmaterial is placed in polyethylene bags (Ag Bags). If desired, theharvested material is treated with inoculant and/or preservative. Theforage yield for bm corn silage is about 1 wet ton per acre less thanthe control hybrid corn.

Samples are collected from the polyethylene bags after 30 days offermentation/storage and assayed for nutrient concentrations. Typicalresults are shown in Table 2. The control corn silage and the BMR cornsilage are similar in nutrient composition, except for fiberdigestibility and NE_(L) concentration. The greater NE_(L) concentrationis likely related to the in vitro digestibility of NDF, ADF, andhemicellulose.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Nutrient composition of corn silages.sup.1                                          Nutrient         Control BMR                                            ______________________________________                                        Dry matter, %      34.6    31.9                                                 Crude protein, % 8.18 8.58                                                    Fat, % 2.74 2.59                                                              ADF, % 18.76 19.93                                                            NDF, % 38.20 40.67                                                            Hemicellulose, % 19.44 20.74                                                  NDF dig., % 52.4 65.3                                                         ADF dig., % 43.5 60.9                                                         Hemicellulose dig., % 60.9 69.5                                               Ash, % 3.34 3.63                                                              NFC, % 47.54 44.53                                                            NE.sub.L, Mcal/cwt. 76.0 80.5                                                 Ca, % .19 .19                                                                 P, % .23 .22                                                                  Mg, % .14 .13                                                                 K, % 1.09 1.27                                                                Na, % .01 .09                                                                 Salt, % .22 .13                                                             ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Nutrients are expressed on a dry matter basis.                    

EXAMPLE 2 Formulation of a Dairy Cattle Feed Ration

The following experimental diets are developed to be fed as a totalmixed ration (TMR). The following assumptions are used in rationformulation: the early lactation experimental dairy cow is estimated toweigh 1,400 lbs. and to produce 110 lbs. of milk with 3.30% fat, 3.10%milk protein and no body weight change. Dry matter intake (DMI) ispredicted to be slightly less than 4.0% of body weight. The TMR isformulated to contain on a dry matter basis: 50% complete feed mix, 33%corn silage and 17% alfalfa haylage. The ingredient composition of thecomplete feed is given in Table 3 and the nutrient composition of thecomplete feed mix is given in Table 4.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Ingredient Composition of Complete Feed.sup.1                                                           Composition                                           INGREDIENT (% by weight)                                                    ______________________________________                                        Corn, coarse ground   38.7                                                      Wheat Middlings 20.0                                                          Meat & Bone Meal (50% protein) 1.5                                            Hi Pro Soybean Meal (49% crude protein) 1.9                                   Feather Meal 3.5                                                              Canola Meal 20.0                                                              Animal fat 2.3                                                                Minerals and Vitamins 4.7                                                     Distillers grains 7.4                                                         Total 100.0                                                                 ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 As fed basis.                                                     

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Nutrient Composition of Complete Feed                                              NUTRIENT          COMPOSITION.sup.1                                      ______________________________________                                        Dry Matter         88.0                                                         Crude Protein (CP) 23.0                                                       Soluble Protein (SP as % of CP) 21.0                                          RUP (% of CP) 45.0                                                            Fat 5.0                                                                       Net Energy of Lactation (NE.sub.L) 92.0                                       Meal/kg                                                                       Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) 9.3                                                Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) 19.5                                            Non-Fiber Carbohydrate (NFC) 43.0                                             Calcium 1.40                                                                  Phosphorus .90                                                                Magnesium .45                                                                 Sulfur .50                                                                    Salt 1.50                                                                   ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Percentages for nutrients given as % by weight on a dry matter         basis                                                                    

Brown midrib (BMR) or control corn silage (Example 2) are combined withcomplete feed mix and alfalfa haylage to form the rations, using eachsilage in an equal amount on a dry matter basis. Rations containapproximately 18.5% crude protein, 32% soluble protein and 40% rumenundegraded protein. Both rations are adjusted to a calculated pH ofabout 6.2 Both rations are balanced to meet or exceed mineral, vitaminand total bypass protein requirements.

EXAMPLE 3 Milk Production Using BMR Silage in a Dairy Cattle Ration

20 lactating dairy cows are utilized in a randomized complete blockdesign experiment, consisting of 5 primiparous cows and 5 multiparouscows fed control silage and 5 primiparous cows and 5 multiparous cowsfed BMR silage. Cows are randomly assigned after calving. During thefifth week postpartum, the cows are abruptly switched to the appropriatefeeding ration and continued on that ration from week 5 to week 17postpartum. Primiparous cows are producing more than 55 lbs./day of milkduring the 4th week postpartum. Multiparous cows are producing greaterthan 65 lbs./day of milk during the 4th week postpartum. All cows aredisease free and otherwise healthy. Cows are fed ad libitum for theduration of the experiment, twice daily at 12 hour intervals, ifpossible. Cows are fed to allow for 5 to 10% feed refusal.

The dietary ration and percentages of complete feed mix, corn silage andalfalfa haylage on a dry matter basis are given in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Dietary feeding guidelines to feed                                              concentrate mix and forages                                                         Control   BMR             Control                                                                              BMR                                    ration ration  ration ration                                                ______________________________________                                        Ration  % of DM   % of DM   DM,   % as   % as                                   Content   % Fed Fed                                                           Control 33.0 --  34.6 50.3 --                                                 Silage                                                                        BMR --  33.0 31.9 --  52.4                                                    Silage                                                                        Complete 50.0 50.0 88.0 30.0 28.8                                             Feed                                                                          Alfalfa 17.0 17.0 45.6 19.7 18.9                                              Haylage                                                                       Total 100.0 100.0  100.0 100.0                                              ______________________________________                                    

Milk production is measured at each milking and reported daily. Twosamples of milk are taken weekly from each cow for composition analysis,including fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-fat and somatic cell counts.Body weights are recorded weekly after calving. Body condition scoresare recorded at approximately weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 postpartum. The sameemployee records condition scores at each measurement time. Bodyconditions scores are recorded according to the definitions indicated inTable 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                        Instructions for Body Condition Scoring                                         Score      Definition                                                       ______________________________________                                        1        Loin area has limited flesh covering, is prominent                      and the ends of spinous processes are sharp to                                touch. Definite overhanging shelf effect is                                   visible. Individual vertebrae of the hind quarters                            are prominent and distinct. Hooks and pin bones are                           notable. The area below the tail-head and between                             pin bones is severely depressed causing the bone                              structure of the area to appear extremely sharp.                             2 Individual spinous processes are usually discernible                         but are not prominent. Ends of processes are sharp                            to touch, although they have greater flesh covering.                          The processes do not have a distinct overhanging                              shelf effect. Individual vertebrae of the hind                                quarters are not visually distinct but are readily                            distinguishable by palpitation. Hooks and pin bones                           are prominent, but the depression between them is                             less severe. The area below the tail-head and                                 between the pin bones is depressed, but the bone                              structure is not devoid of flesh covering.                                   3 Spinous processes are discernible by applying slight                         pressure. Area over processes appears smooth and                              the overhanging shelf effect is not noticeable.                               Vertebrae of the hindquarters appear as a rounded                             ridge. Hooks and pin bones are rounded and smooth.                            The area between the pin bones and around the tail-                           head appear smooth without sign of fat deposition.                           4 Individual spinous processes can be distinguished                            only by firm palpitation. Processes appear flat or                            rounded with no overhanging shelf effect. The ridge                           formed by the vertebrae of the hindquarters is                                rounded and smooth, flattening out as you move                                forward. Hooks are rounded, and the span between                              hooks is flat. The area around the tail-head and                              pin bones is rounded with evidence of fat                                     deposition.                                                                  5 Bone structure of the vertebral column, spinous                              processes, hooks and pin bone regions is not                                  visually apparent. Evidence of fat deposition is                              prominent. The tail head appears to be buried in                              fatty tissue.                                                              ______________________________________                                    

The results indicate that cows fed BMR silage have a statisticallysignificant increase in milk production when comparing unadjusted meansor when comparing covariate adjusted means. The increase is from about 4lbs. milk/cow/day to about 11 lbs. milk/cow/day.

EXAMPLE 4

Development of Corn Inbred Lines and Hybrids Having a Brown MidribPhenotype

Line MED947 is a corn inbred that has the characteristics shown in Table7. Line MED947 was crossed to B73bm3 (stock no. 980392, obtained fromthe Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.).After completing a conversion program, an inbred line designated asAR5252bm3 was obtained. The backcrossing program is shown in Table 8.

Line MED154 is a corn inbred that has the characteristics shown in Table9. Line MED154 was backcrossed to AR5151bm3 as indicated in Table 10 toobtain line AR5251bm3. The bm3 allele in AR5151bm3 was obtained fromA632bm3 (Purdue University).

Line MED058 is a corn inbred that has the characteristics shown in Table11. Line MED058 was backcrossed with line AR5654bm3. The bm3 allele inAR5654bm3 was derived from Mo17bm3 (Purdue University).

Line 7675 was crossed to Oh545bm3 (stock no. 980390, Department ofAgronomy, Purdue University) in a conversion program as shown in Table8, resulting in an inbred line designated 7675bm3.

Line 7677 was crossed to Mo17bm3 (stock no. 980394, Department ofAgronomy, Purdue University) in a conversion program as shown in Table8, resulting in an inbred line designated as 7677bm3.

Characteristics of the inbred lines AR5252bm3, 7675bm3 and 7677bm3 areshown in Table 12. Data on flowering for six inbred lines is shown inTable 13.

Line AR5252bm3 was crossed as a female to 7675bm3 and to 7677bm3 to formF, hybrids XB657 and XB757, respectively. Characteristics of XB657 areshown in Table 14. Characteristics of XE757 are shown in Table 15.

Hybrid checks were prepared from crosses of ARS5252×7675 andAR5252×7677. These F₁ hybrids do not exhibit the brown midrib phenotype.

Pairwise comparisons of forage yield, quality profiles and energy valuesfor XB657 and unconverted control hybrid 657 are shown in Table 16. Thesame comparisons are shown for XB757 and control hybrid 757 in Table 17.

Lines AR5751bm3, AR5654bm3, AR5253bm3, AR5153bm3 and AR5551bm3 weredeveloped by backcrossing programs similar to those described above.Each of these lines exhibits the brown midrib phenotype. Characteristicsof these lines are shown in Tables 18-23.

To the extent not already indicated, it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that any one of the various specificembodiments herein described and illustrated may be further modified toincorporate features shown in other of the specific embodiments.

The foregoing detailed description has been provided for a betterunderstanding of the invention only and no unnecessary limitation shouldbe understood therefrom as some modifications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

                                      TABLE 7                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line MED947                                                    __________________________________________________________________________    COTYLEDON LEAF           EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                    ANTHOCYANIN N/A SILK COLOR YELLOW                                             LENGTH N/A EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 7.50 ft. COVERAGE COVERS TIP                                     EAR HEIGHT 3.00 ft. LOOSENESS TIGHT                                           UNIFORMITY RATING 8 EAR ANGLE RATING 6                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH <4 in.                           ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9 in.                                   DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 0.00 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                              ROOT RATING N/A UNIFORMITY 8                                                  LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS 16                                                     COLOR MEDIUM GREEN TYPE SEMI DENT                                             TOTAL NUMBER  SIZE AVERAGE                                                    NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR YELLOW                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 0 in. CROWN COLOR LIGHT YELLOW                               MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 0.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR PINK                                         ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT <1 in.                           PUBESCENCE, SHEATH PRESENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                  PUBESCENCE, MARGINS PRESENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS N/A                          PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00 DISEASE RESISTANCE RATINGS                       TASSEL  NORTHERN LEAF BLIGHT(R2) 5B                                           COMPACTNESS COMPACT SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT(R0) 6B                               BRANCH ANGLE <30 NORTHERN COB LEAF SPOT(R3) 6B                                NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-8 STEWARTS BACTERIAL WILT 6B                        SECONDARY BRANCH PRESENT GREY LEAF SPOT 8B                                    LENGTH N/A EYESPOT 6B                                                         SIZE RATING 7 ANTHRACNOSE 6B                                                TASSEL EXTENSION                                                                              PARTIALLY                                                                              (9 = Resistant, 1 = Susceptible)                                     ENCLOSED (Letter indicates confidence                           SHED IN BOOT? NO level)                                                       DIFFICULTY IN PULLING AVERAGE                                                 NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 0                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE LIGHT GREEN                                                              BAND RED                                                                       POLLEN SHED DURATION AVERAGE                                                  POLLEN AMOUNT RATING AVERAGE                                                __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 8                                                         ______________________________________                                        Inbred Line Conversion to Brown MidRib                                        ______________________________________                                               AR5252bm3                                                                (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.6                                           (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.5 S.sub.1                                   (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.5                                           (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.4                                           (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.3 S.sub.1                                   (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.3                                           (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.2                                           (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.1 S.sub.1                                   (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) MED947BC.sub.1                                           (MED947XB73bm.sub.3) F.sub.1                                                  MED947XB73bm.sub.3) F.sub.0                                                   7675bm3                                                                       (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.6 S.sub.1                                     (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.6                                             (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.5                                             (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.4                                             (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.3 S.sub.1                                     (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.3                                             (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.2                                             (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.1 S.sub.1                                     (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675BC.sub.1                                             (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) 7675F.sub.1                                              (7675xOh545bm.sub.3) F.sub.0                                                  7677bm3                                                                       (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.5 S.sub.1                                      (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.5                                              (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.4                                              (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.3 S.sub.1                                      (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.3                                              (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.2                                              (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.1 S.sub.1                                      (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) 7677BC.sub.1                                              (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) F.sub.1                                                   (7677xMo17bm.sub.3) F.sub.0                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 9                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line MED154                                                    __________________________________________________________________________    COTYLEDON LEAF           EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                    ANTHOCYANIN N/A SILK COLOR RED                                                LENGTH <2 EAR LEAVES MEDIUM                                                   PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 7.0 ft. COVERAGE COVERS TIP                                      EAR HEIGHT 2.0 ft. LOOSENESS LOOSE                                            UNIFORMITY RATING 7 EAR ANGLE RATING 6                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.0 in. EAR SHAPE CONICAL                                   ROOT RATING AVERAGE UNIFORMITY 7                                              LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE VERY NO. ROWS 16                                                        COLOR MEDIUM TYPE DENT                                                        TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 34 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 4.50 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN PRESENT COLOR WHITE                                       ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT 1-2                              PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS PRESENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS N/A                          PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES <4                                                    SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH 10-14                                                                  SIZE RATING 2                                                               TASSEL EXTENSION                                                                              PARTIALLY                                                        ENCLOSED                                                                   TASSEL FERTILITY                                                                              0                                                               SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING AVERAGE                                                 NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR PINK                                                             GLUME COLOR-TIP LIGHT GREEN                                                  BASE RED                                                                      BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION SHORT                                                    POLLEN AMOUNT RATING LONG                                                   __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                        Inbred Line Conversion to Brown Midrib                                        ______________________________________                                                AR5251bm3                                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.5                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.4                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.3 S.sub.1                                       (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.3                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.2                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.1 S.sub.1                                       (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) C.sub.1                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) F.sub.1                                               (MED154XAR5151bm.sub.3) F.sub.0                                               AR5651bm3                                                                     (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.5 S.sub.1                                       (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.5                                               (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.4                                               (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.3                                               (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.2                                               (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.1 S.sub.1                                       (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) C.sub.1                                               (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) F.sub.1                                               (MED058XAR5654bm.sub.3) F.sub.0                                             ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 11                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line MED058                                                    __________________________________________________________________________    COTYLEDON LEAF           EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                    ANTHOCYANIN N/A SILK COLOR YELLOW                                             LENGTH <2 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                   PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.5 ft. COVERAGE COVERS TIP                                      EAR HEIGHT 3.0 ft. LOOSENESS AVERAGE                                          UNIFORMITY RATING 7 EAR ANGLE RATING 5                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH <4                               ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.0 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING AVERAGE UNIFORMITY 9                                              LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS 12                                                     COLOR LIGHT GREEN TYPE DENT                                                   TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR >6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                         LENGTH, EAR LEAF 21 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 3.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN PRESENT COLOR WHITE                                       ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT <1                               PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                            PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS LOOSE                                                             BRANCH ANGLE >60                                                              NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-6                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH >14                                                                    SIZE RATING 5                                                               TASSEL EXTENSION                                                                              PARTIALLY                                                        ENCLOSED                                                                   TASSEL FERTILITY                                                                              0                                                               SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 2                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP LIGHT GREEN                                                  BASE LIGHT GREEN                                                              BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION AVERAGE                                                  POLLEN AMOUNT RATING LIGHT                                                  __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 12                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line 7675bm3                                                   __________________________________________________________________________    7675bm3                                                                         COTYLEDON LEAF  EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                         ANTHOCYANIN     PRESENT  SILK COLOR      YELLOW                                 LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 5.5 ft. COVERAGE SHORT                                           EAR HEIGHT 3.0 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 2 EAR ANGLE RATING 8                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.1 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 9                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS 8-10                                                   COLOR VARIGATED TYPE SEMI DENT                                                TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 26 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 3.50 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR WHITE                                        ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT <1                               PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                            PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-8                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH 10-14 in.                                                              TASSEL FERTILITY 1                                                            SIZE RATING 6                                                               TASSEL EXTENSION                                                                              PARTIALLY                                                        ENCLOSED                                                                   SHED IN BOOT?   NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING AVERAGE                                                 NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP LIGHT GREEN                                                  BASE YELLOW                                                                   BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION SHORT                                                    POLLEN AMOUNT RATING HEAVY                                                  __________________________________________________________________________    7677bm3                                                                         COTYLEDON LEAF  EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                           ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 5.5 ft. COVERAGE LONG                                            EAR HEIGHT 1.0 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 8 EAR ANGLE RATING 6                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH <4                               ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.1 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 7                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE DROOPING NO. ROWS 12                                                    COLOR LIGHT GREEN TYPE SEMI DENT                                              TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 31 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 3.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR PINK                                         ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT 1-2                              PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS PRESENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                           PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-8                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH >14 in.                                                                TASSEL FERTILITY 5                                                            SIZE RATING 7                                                               TASSEL EXTENSION                                                                              PARTIALLY                                                        ENCLOSED                                                                   SHED IN BOOT?   NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE RED                                                                      BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING LONG                                                   __________________________________________________________________________    AR5252bm3                                                                       COTYLEDON LEAF  EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                           ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.0 ft. COVERAGE COVERS TIP                                      EAR HEIGHT 2.0 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 4 EAR ANGLE RATING 6                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.1 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 8                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS 16                                                     COLOR MEDIUM GREEN TYPE DENT                                                  TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 30 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 4.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR PINK                                         ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH PRESENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT 1-2                             PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                            PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS COMPACT                                                           BRANCH ANGLE <30                                                              NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-8                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH PRESENT                                                      LENGTH >14 in.                                                                TASSEL FERTILITY 7                                                            SIZE RATING 4                                                               TASSEL EXTENSION                                                                              PARTIALLY                                                        ENCLOSED                                                                   SHED IN BOOT?   NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE YELLOW                                                                   BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION SHORT                                                    POLLEN AMOUNT RATING LONG                                                   __________________________________________________________________________

Parental Description Legend

COTYLEDON LEAF

Anthocyanin (Present, Absent)

Length (<2, 2-3, >3 inches)

PLANT AND STALK

Plant Height (in feet)

Ear Height (in feet)

Uniformity (9-1 rating)

Anthocyanin In Brace Roots (Absent,Present,Dark)

Anthocyanin In Nodes (Ab,Present)

Stk Diameter at 2nd Node (in inches)

Root Rating (9=Good Roots, 5=Average Roots, 1=Bad Roots)

LEAVES

Angle (Very Erect, Upright, Horizontal, Drooping)

Color (Dark Green, Medium Green, Light Green, Variegated)

Total # (<9. 10-15, >15)

# Above Ear (<5, 5-6, >6)

Length, Ear Leaf (in inches)

Max. Width, Ear Leaf (in inches)

Anthrocyanin, Margin (Absent,Present)

Anthrocyanin, Sheath (Absent,Present)

Pubescence, Sheath (Absent,Present,Very Hairy)

Pubescence, Margins (Absent,Present)

Plants, Tillering Tassel (%) Percentage

TASSEL

Compactness (Loose,Average,Compact)

Branch Angle (<30, 30-60, >60)

#, Primary Branches (<4, 4-8, >8)

Secondary Branches (Absent,Present)

Length (<10 in., 10-14, >14 in.)

Size (9-1) Rating

Shed in Boot (Yes, No)

Tassel Extension (Enclosed, Partially Enclosed, Open)

Tassel Fertility (9=Male Sterile, 7=Male Sterile, Anthers 35 Extrudedand No Pollen, 5=Intermediate With Some Viable and Nonviable Pollen,3=Near Normal Pollen, 1=Completely Normal Pollen Shed and Viability)

Difficulty in Pulling (Easy, Average, Hard)

# Leaves Pulled (Ave)

Anther Color (Yellow, Green, Pink, Red, Purple)

Glume Color

Tip (Green, Light Green, Red, Yellow)

Base (Green, Light Green, Red, Yellow)

Banded (Dark Green, Red, Purple)

Pollen shed Duration (Short, Average, Long)

Pollen Amount (Low, Average, Heavy)

Parental Description Legend Cont'd

EAR CHARACTERISTICS

Silk Color (Green, Yellow, Pink, Red, Purple)

Ear Leaves (Absent, Medium, Long)

Husk

Coverage (Short, Covers tip, Long)

Looseness (Loose, Average, Tight)

Ear Angle at Harvest (9-1) Rating

Shank Length (<4, 4-12, >12)

Ear Length (<6, 6-9, >9)

Ear Shape (Cylindrical, Conical, Cylindrical/Conical)

Uniformity (9-1) Rating

Kernel

No. Rows (8-10, 12, 14, 16, >18)

Type (Flint, Semi dent, Dent, Rough dent)

Size (Small, Average, Large)

Body Color (White, Light Yellow, Yellow, Orange, Red)

Crown Color (White, Light Yellow, Yellow, Orange, Red)

Cob

Color (Red, Pink, White)

Diameter Midpoint (<1, 1-2, >2)

INSECT RESISTANCE

Attractive to Aphids (Yes, Average, No)

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                        Flowering Characteristics of bm Inbred Lines                                  ______________________________________                                        7675bm3         AR5252bm3        7677bm3                                      Slk Heat 1:                                                                           1,564   Slk Heat 1:                                                                             1,534  Slk Heat 1:                                                                           1,683                                  Slk Heat M: 1,587 Slk Heat M: 1,607 Slk Heat M: 1,738                         Slk Heat F: 1,633 Slk Heat F: 1,587 Slk Heat F: 1,794                         Slk Days 1: 86 Slk Days 1: 85 Slk Days 1: 91                                  Slk Days M: 87 Slk Days M: 88 Slk Days M: 93                                  Slk Days F: 89 Slk Days F: 87 Slk Days F: 95                                  Pol Heat 1: 1,534 Pol Heat 1: 1,505 Pol Heat 1: 1,419                         Pol Heat M: 1,587 Pol Heat M: 1,534 Pol Heat M: 1,587                         Pol Heat F: 1,607 Pol Heat F: 1,587 Pol Heat F: 1,633                         Pol Days 1: 85 Pol Days 1: 84 Pol Days 1: 80                                  Pol Days M: 87 Pol Days M: 85 Pol Days M: 87                                  Pol Days F: 88 Pol Days F: 87 Pol Days F: 89                                ______________________________________                                        AR5651bm3              AR5251bm3                                              Slk Heat 1:                                                                              1,387       Slk Heat 1:                                                                             1,552                                          Slk Heat M: 1,437 Slk Heat M: 1,582                                           Slk Heat F: 1,479 Slk Heat F: 1,656                                           Slk Days 1: 83 Slk Days 1: 91                                                 Slk Days M: 85 Slk Days M: 93                                                 Slk Days F: 87 Slk Days F: 97                                                 Pol Heat 1: 1,304 Pol Heat 1: 1,539                                           Pol Heat M: 1,387 Pol Heat M: 1,552                                           Pol Heat F: 1,459 Pol Heat F: 1,596                                           Pol Days 1: 79 Pol Days 1: 90                                                 Pol Days M: 83 Pol Days M: 91                                                 Pol Days F: 86 Pol Days F: 94                                               ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 14                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Trait Summary for XB657                                                                      RATING                                                                              SCALE   DEFINITION                                       __________________________________________________________________________    Trait:                                                                          Yield for Maturity (9-1) 9 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                              Stalk Strength (9-1) Acceptable 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                         Root Strength-Summer (9-1) 9 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                            Root Strength-Fall (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                             Testweight (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                     Drydown (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                        Ear Retention (9-1) 9 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                   Early Vigor (9-1) 5 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                     Seedling Purple Color (9-1) 4 9-1 9 = NO PURPLE 1 = DARK PURPLE                                           Greensnap Potential (9-1) 9 9-1 9 = GOOD 1                                   = POOR                                             Drought Stress (9-1) 7 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                  Stay Green (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                      Plant Health (9-1) 7 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                    Recommended Population (H M L) H H, M, L HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW                    Plant Height (S MS M MT T) 8.0 S, MS, M, MT, T SHORT/MSHORT/MODERATE/MTA                                 LL/TA                                              Ear Height (S MS M MT T) 3.5 S, MS, M, MT, T SHORT/MSHORT/MODERATE/MTALL                                 /TA                                                Cargill RM (# Days) 115 (NA) DAYS # DAYS                                      Flowering Date (E M L) M E, M, L EARLY MEDIUM, LATE                           GDU's to Mid-Silk (#) 1464 # # UNITS                                          GDU's to Black Layer (#) 2594 # # UNITS                                       Plant Color (L M D) M L, M, D LIGHT, MEDIUM, DARK                             Leaf Angle (E U H D) U E, U, H, D ERECT/UPRIGHT/HORIZONTAL,DROOPY                                         Leaf Width (W M N) M W, M, N WIDE, MEDIUM,                                   NARROW                                             Tillers (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = NONE 1 = MANY                                         Shank Length (9-1) 5 9-1 9 = SHORT 1 = LONG                                   Husk Coverage (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                   Ear Tip Fill (9-1) 6 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                    Ear Length (L M S) M L, M, S LONG, MEDIUM, SHORT                              Ear Girth (G M S) M G, M, S GIRTHY, MEDIUM, SLENDER                           Ear Flex (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                       Kernel Rows (# Range) 14-16 # # RANGE                                         Kernel Depth (S M D) D S, M, D SHALLOW, MODERATE, DEEP                        Cob Color (R P W) P R, P, W RED, PINK, WHITE                                  Kernel Color (W Y G B O R) Y W, Y, G, B, O, R WHITE, YLLW, GLD, BRNZ,                                    ORNG, RED                                          Kernel Texture (F SF SD D) SD F, SF, SD, D FLINT, SEMIFLINT, SEMIDENT,                                   DENT                                             __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 15                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Trait Summary for XB657                                                                      RATING                                                                              SCALE   DEFINITION                                       __________________________________________________________________________    Trait:                                                                          Yield for Maturity (9-1) 7 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                              Stalk Strength (9-1) Acceptable 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                         Root Strength-Summer (9-1) 9 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                            Root Strength-Fall (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                             Testweight (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                     Drydown (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                        Ear Retention (9-1) 9 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                   Early Vigor (9-1) 5 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                     Seedling Purple Color (9-1)  9-1 9 = NO PURPLE 1 = DARK PURPLE                Greensnap Potential (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                             Drought Stress (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                  Stay Green (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                      Plant Health (9-1) 8 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                    Recommended Population (H M L) H H, M, L HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW                    Plant Height (S MS M MT T) 8.5 S, MS, M, MT, T SHORT/MSHORT/MODERATE/MTA                                 LL/TA                                              Ear Height (S MS M MT T) 3.0 S, MS, M, MT, T SHORT/MSHORT/MODERATE/MTALL                                 /TA                                                Cargill RM (#Days)  DAYS # DAYS                                               Flowering Date (E M L) M E, M, L EARLY MEDIUM, LATE                           GDU's to Mid-Silk (#) 1529 # # UNIT                                           GDU's to Black Layer (#) NA # # UNIT                                          Plant Color (L M D)  L, M, D LIGHT, MEDIUM, DARK                              Leaf Angle (E U H D)  E, U, H, D ERECT/UPRIGHT/HORIZONTAL,DROOPY                                          Leaf Width (W M N)  W, M, N WIDE, MEDIUM,                                    NARROW                                             Tillers (9-1)  9-1 9 = NONE 1 = MANY                                          Shank Length (9-1)  9-1 9 = SHORT 1 = LONG                                    Husk Coverage (9-1)  9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                    Ear Tip Fill (9-1)  9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                     Ear Length (L M S)  L, M, S LONG, MEDIUM, SHORT                               Ear Girth (G M S)  G, M, S GIRTHY, MEDIUM, SLENDER                            Ear Flex (9-1) NA 9-1 9 = GOOD 1 = POOR                                       Kernel Rows (# Range)  # # RANGE                                              Kernel Depth (S M D)  S, M, D SHALLOW, MODERATE, DEEP                         Cob Color (R P W) P R, P, W RED, PINK, WHITE                                  Kernel Color (W Y G B O R)  W, Y, G, B, O, R WHITE, YLLW, GLD, BRNZ,                                     ORNG, RED                                          Kernel Texture (F SF SD D)  F, SF, SD, D FLINT, SEMIFLINT, SEMIDENT,                                     DENT                                             __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 16                                                        ______________________________________                                        Pairwise Comparison of XB657 and XB657*                                           Traits       XB657    XB657    Range #Loc.                                ______________________________________                                        Plant Features                                                                  Plant Hgt 45.54 47.18 -1.64 5                                                 Ear Hgt 18.80 19.80 -1.00 5                                                   Yield Profile                                                                 70% Tons/A 25.00 27.49 -2.49 6                                                DM Tons/A 7.50 8.25 -0.75 6                                                   DDM Tons/A 5.90 6.07 -0.17 6                                                  Quality Profile                                                               % ADF 23.18 24.83 -1.65 6                                                     % NDF 43.56 45.08 -1.52 6                                                     % ASH 4.62 4.51 0.11 6                                                        % CP 8.92 8.29 0.63 6                                                         % IVTD 78.75 73.26 5.49 6                                                     % IVCWD 50.99 40.64 10.35 6                                                   % WP Mst 70.83 66.54 4.29 6                                                   % WP DM 29.17 33.46 -4.29 6                                                   Energy Values                                                                 TDN 67.97 66.28 1.69 6                                                        NEL (Mcal/LB) 0.69 0.67 0.02 6                                                NFC % 39.80 39.02 0.78 6                                                      Lbs CP/A 1,330.26 1,355.60 -25.34 6                                           Lbs TDN/A 10,223.68 11,006.10 -782.42 6                                       Lbs NEL/A 10,295.38 11,028.58 -733.20 6                                       Lbs DDM/Ton 1,574.90 1,465.23 109.67 6                                        LB5 CP/Ton 178.40 165.87 12.53 6                                            ______________________________________                                         *Summary over two years                                                  

                  TABLE 17                                                        ______________________________________                                        Pairwise Comparison of XB757 and 757                                              Traits       XB757    757      Range #Loc.                                ______________________________________                                        Plant Features                                                                  Plant Hgt 45.28 49.38 -4.10 5                                                 Ear Hgt 19.06 21.42 -2.36 5                                                   Yield Profile                                                                 70% Tons/A 27.00 30.23 -3.23 6                                                DM Tons/A 8.10 9.07 -0.97 6                                                   DDM Tons/A 6.22 6.50 -0.28 6                                                  Quality Profile                                                               % ADF 23.29 25.39 -2.10 6                                                     % NDF 44.96 46.97 -2.01 6                                                     % ASH 4.59 4.32 0.27 6                                                        % CP 8.49 8.12 0.37 6                                                         % IVTD 76.65 71.79 4.86 6                                                     % IVCWD 47.88 39.89 7.99 6                                                    % WP Mst 69.93 68.17 1.76 6                                                   % WP DM 30.07 31.83 -1.76 6                                                   Energy Values                                                                 TDN 67.82 65.68 2.14 6                                                        NEL (Mcal/LB) 0.68 0.66 0.02 6                                                NFC % 38.85 37.50 1.35 6                                                      Lbs CP/A 1,354.67 1,474.91 -120.24 6                                          Lbs TDN/A 11,019.01 11,942.15 -923.14 6                                       Lbs NEL/A 11,097.71 11,935.90 -838.19 6                                       Lbs DDM/Ton 1,533.00 1,435.80 97.20 6                                         LBS CP/Ton 169.87 162.33 7.54 6                                             ______________________________________                                         *Summary over two years of data at 6 locations                           

                                      TABLE 18                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Lines AR5751bm3, AR5152bm3 and AR5151bm3                       __________________________________________________________________________    AR5751bm3                                                                     COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 5.5 ft. COVERAGE LONG                                            EAR HEIGHT 1.5 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 7 EAR ANGLE RATING 7                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH <6                                        DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.2 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL/                              ROOT RATING EXCELLENT  CONICAL                                                LEAVES  UNIFORMITY                                                            ANGLE UPRIGHT KERNEL                                                          COLOR LIGHT GREEN NO. ROWS 16                                                 TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 TYPE DENT                                                  NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 SIZE SMALL                                               LENGTH, EAR LEAF 26 in. BODY COLOR ORANGE                                     MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 3.00 CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                 ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT                                                    PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT 1-2                               PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                  PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00 ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                          TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES >6                                                    SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH 10-14 in.                                                              TASSEL FERTILITY 1                                                            SIZE RATING 7                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING AVERAGE                                                 NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 2                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP LIGHT GREEN                                                  BASE GREEN                                                                    BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING HEAVY                                                  __________________________________________________________________________    AR5152bm3                                                                     COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN ABSENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                          LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.5 ft. COVERAGE LONG                                            EAR HEIGHT 2.5 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 8 EAR ANGLE RATING 7                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH <6                                        DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.3 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 8                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS 14                                                     COLOR MEDIUM TYPE SEMI DENT                                                   TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 26 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 2.50 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR PINK                                         ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT <1                               PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS PRESENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                           PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-8                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH PRESENT                                                      LENGTH 10-14 in.                                                              TASSEL FERTILITY 3                                                            SIZE RATING 4                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 2                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE YELLOW                                                                   BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING LONG                                                   __________________________________________________________________________      AR5151bm3                                                                   COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.0 ft. COVERAGE LONG                                            EAR HEIGHT 2.0 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 7 EAR ANGLE RATING 7                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS DARK SHANK LENGTH 4-12                                ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH <6                                        DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.0 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 8                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE HORIZONTAL NO. ROWS 14                                                  COLOR LIGHT GREEN TYPE SEMI DENT                                              TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 26 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 2.50 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR PINK                                         ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT <1                               PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                            PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-6                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH 10-14 in.                                                              TASSEL FERTILITY 1                                                            SIZE RATING 4                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING AVERAGE                                                 NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE LIGHT GREEN                                                              BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING AVERAGE                                                __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 19                                                        ______________________________________                                               AR5751BM3                                                              ______________________________________                                               Slk Heat 1:                                                                            1,441                                                           Slk Heat M: 1,463                                                             Slk Heat F: 1,505                                                             Slk Days 1: 81                                                                Slk Days M: 82                                                                Slk Days F: 84                                                                Pol Heat 1: 1,463                                                             Pol Heat M: 1,485                                                             Pol Heat F: 1,505                                                             Pol Days 1: 82                                                                Pol Days M: 83                                                                Pol Days F: 84                                                                AR5152BM3                                                                     Slk Heat 1: 1,587                                                             Slk Heat M: 1,607                                                             Slk Heat F: 1,633                                                             Slk Days 1: 87                                                                Slk Days M: 88                                                                Slk Days F: 89                                                                Pol Heat 1: 1,534                                                             Pol Heat M: 1,564                                                             Pol Heat F: 1,587                                                             Pol Days 1: 85                                                                Pol Days M: 86                                                                Pol Days F: 87                                                                AR5151BM3                                                                     Slk Heat 1: 1,256                                                             Slk Heat M: 1,300                                                             Slk Heat F: 1,345                                                             Slk Days 1: 73                                                                Slk Days M: 75                                                                Slk Days F: 77                                                                Pol Heat 1: 1,175                                                             Pol Heat M: 1,231                                                             Pol Heat F: 1,345                                                             Pol Days 1: 70                                                                Pol Days M: 72                                                                Pol Days F: 77                                                              ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 20                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line AR5654bm3                                                 __________________________________________________________________________    AR5654bm3                                                                     COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR PINK                                           LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.0 ft. COVERAGE COVERS TIP                                      EAR HEIGHT 1.5 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 7 EAR ANGLE RATING 6                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH <6                                        DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.1 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 7                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE HORIZONTAL NO. ROWS 14                                                  COLOR MEDIUM TYPE FLINT                                                       TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE SMALL                                                 NUMBER ABOVE EAR >6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                         LENGTH, EAR LEAF 19 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 2.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR RED                                          ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT <1                               PUBESCENCE, SHEATH PRESENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                  PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                            PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS LOOSE                                                             BRANCH ANGLE >60                                                              NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES >8                                                    SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH >14 in.                                                                TASSEL FERTILITY 1                                                            SIZE RATING 6                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? N/A                                                             DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 2                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE LIGHT GREEN                                                              BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING AVERAGE                                                __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 21                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line AR5253bm3                                                 __________________________________________________________________________    AR5253bm3                                                                     COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.0 ft. COVERAGE COVERS TIP                                      EAR HEIGHT 2.5 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 5 EAR ANGLE RATING 6                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH 4-12                             ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.1 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 8                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS 14                                                     COLOR MEDIUM TYPE SEMI DENT                                                   TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 25 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 3.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR RED                                          ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH PRESENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT 1-2                             PUBESCENCE, SHEATH PRESENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                  PUBESCENCE, MARGINS ABSENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                            PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS AVERAGE                                                           BRANCH ANGLE 30-60                                                            NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES <4                                                    SECONDARY BRANCH PRESENT                                                      LENGTH 10-14 in.                                                              TASSEL FERTILITY 3                                                            SIZE RATING 4                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP RED                                                          BASE YELLOW                                                                   BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING AVERAGE                                                __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 22                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line AR5153bm3                                                 __________________________________________________________________________    AR5153bm3                                                                     COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES ABSENT                                                  PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 6.0 ft. COVERAGE LONG                                            EAR HEIGHT 2.0 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 6 EAR ANGLE RATING 7                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH <4                               ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH N/A                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 1.3 in. EAR SHAPE N/A                                       ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 0                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE UPRIGHT NO. ROWS N/A                                                    COLOR MEDIUM TYPE N/A                                                         TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE N/A                                                   NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR N/A                                           LENGTH, EAR LEAF 28 in. CROWN COLOR N/A                                       MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 3.50 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR N/A                                          ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT N/A                              PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS PRESENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                           PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS COMPACT                                                           BRANCH ANGLE <30                                                              NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES 4-6                                                   SECONDARY BRANCH PRESENT                                                      LENGTH 10-14 in.                                                              TASSEL FERTILITY 3                                                            SIZE RATING 0                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? YES                                                             DIFFICULTY IN PULLING EASY                                                    NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 2                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP LIGHT GREEN                                                  BASE LIGHT GREEN                                                              BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING LONG                                                   __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 23                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Description of Line AR5551bm3                                                 __________________________________________________________________________    AR5551bm3                                                                     COTYLEDON LEAF              EAR CHARACTERISTICS                                 ANTHOCYANIN PRESENT SILK COLOR YELLOW                                         LENGTH 2-3 EAR LEAVES LOW                                                     PLANT AND STALK  HUSK                                                         PLANT HEIGHT 5.5 ft. COVERAGE SHORT                                           EAR HEIGHT 1.5 ft. LOOSENESS N/A                                              UNIFORMITY RATING 7 EAR ANGLE RATING 5                                        ANTHOCY. IN BRACE ROOTS PRESENT SHANK LENGTH >12                              ANTHOCY. IN NODES ABSENT EAR LENGTH 6-9                                       DIAM. AT 2nd NODE 2.9 in. EAR SHAPE CYLINDRICAL                               ROOT RATING EXCELLENT UNIFORMITY 5                                            LEAVES  KERNEL                                                                ANGLE DROOPING NO. ROWS 16                                                    COLOR MEDIUM TYPE SEMI DENT                                                   TOTAL NUMBER 10-15 SIZE AVERAGE                                               NUMBER ABOVE EAR 5-6 BODY COLOR ORANGE                                        LENGTH, EAR LEAF 30 in. CROWN COLOR YELLOW                                    MAX., WIDTH, EAR LEAF 4.00 COB                                                ANTHOCYANIN, MARGIN ABSENT COLOR WHITE                                        ANTHOCYANIN, SHEATH ABSENT DIAMETER MIDPOINT 1-2                              PUBESCENCE, SHEATH ABSENT INSECT RESISTANCE                                   PUBESCENCE, MARGINS PRESENT ATTRACTIVE TO APHIDS NO                           PLANT, TILLERING TASSEL 0.00                                                  TASSEL                                                                        COMPACTNESS LOOSE                                                             BRANCH ANGLE >60                                                              NUMBER PRIMARY BRANCHES >8                                                    SECONDARY BRANCH ABSENT                                                       LENGTH >14 in.                                                                TASSEL FERTILITY 1                                                            SIZE RATING 6                                                                 TASSEL EXTENSION PARTIALLY ENCLOSED                                           SHED IN BOOT? NO                                                              DIFFICULTY IN PULLING AVERAGE                                                 NUMBER LEAVES PULLED 1                                                        ANTHER COLOR YELLOW                                                           GLUME COLOR-TIP LIGHT GREEN                                                  BASE LIGHT GREEN                                                              BAND DARK GREEN                                                                POLLEN SHED DURATION N/A                                                      POLLEN AMOUNT RATING HEAVY                                                  __________________________________________________________________________

What is claimed is:
 1. Inbred corn seed designated AR5253bm3 and havingATCC accession number
 203349. 2. Hybrid corn seed produced from plantsof a first inbred corn line, designated AR5253bm3 and having ATCCaccession number 203349, and plants of a second inbred line that ishomozygous for bm3.
 3. An F₁ hybrid corn plant produced by:(a) plantingand growing seeds of a first corn inbred line designated AR5253bm3 andrepresented by seed having ATCC accession number 203349, said seedsplanted in pollinating proximity to seeds of a second inbred line thatis homozygous for bm3; (b) preventing pollen production on plantsresulting from either said first or said second inbred line seeds; (c)allowing cross pollination to occur between said plants of said inbredlines; (d) harvesting seeds produced on said plants of step (b); and (e)growing at least one harvested seed of step (d).
 4. The hybrid cornplant of claim 3, wherein at step (b) said pollen production isprevented on said first corn inbred line AR5253bm3, represented by seedhaving ATCC accession number
 203349. 5. An F₁ hybrid corn seed producedby:(a) planting and growing seeds of a first corn inbred line AR5253bm3,represented by seed having ATCC accession number 203349, said seedsplanted in pollinating proximity to seeds of a second inbred line thatis homozygous for bm3; (b) preventing pollen production on plantsresulting from either said first or said second inbred line seeds; (c)allowing cross pollination to occur between said plants of said inbredlines; (d) harvesting seeds produced on said plants of step (b).
 6. Thehybrid corn seed of claim 5 wherein at step (b), said pollen productionis prevented on said first corn inbred line AR5253bm3, represented byseed having ATCC accession number 203349.